Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Imperial Garden – San Francisco
Imperial Garden - San Francisco
Photo from Imperial Garden
Imperial Garden at a glance
San Francisco Silver Terrace
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 31 of the guests
#2048 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#226 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
6.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
234
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Vegan dim sum
- Pleasant ambience
Frequently criticized
- Service inconsistency
- Poor value
The restaurant, a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco’s Silver Terrace neighborhood, invites you to experience its delightful ambiance. Known for its exceptional tea selection, Imperial Garden offers a casual setting perfect for any meal.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a leisurely dinner, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere and a menu designed to please.
Overview: Introducting Imperial Garden
Imperial Garden offers a dining experience with some notable highs and lows. Guests often praise the pleasant atmosphere and the impressive range of vegan dim sum options, which stand out as a real strength.
However, some find the overall experience hampered by other factors. While the food can be quite good, particularly for those seeking plant-based dishes, there are consistent reports of inconsistent service and concerns about the overall value.
It seems to be a place where certain aspects shine brighter than others.
Good
6.3
out of 10
234
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
78
negative
18
neutral
138
positive
Looking at the numbers, Imperial Garden holds an overall score of 6.3, placing it squarely in the average category. Customer satisfaction sits at 59%, indicating a mixed reception from diners.
This assessment is drawn from a substantial 234 customer observations, with 138 positive remarks against 78 negative ones, painting a picture of varied experiences. Delving deeper, the Ambience (7.7) is a clear strong point, often described as spacious and clean.
The Food (7.1) also performs well, especially its celebrated vegan offerings. However, Service (5.0) is merely average, with many noting issues, and Value (3.4) is a significant area for improvement, frequently cited for unexpected costs.
What people like
- Exceptional vegan dim sum
- Pleasant dining atmosphere
- Spacious, clean setting
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- Poor value proposition
- Specific dish disappointments
With a recommendation score of 6.4, Imperial Garden presents a bit of a mixed bag. If you’re specifically looking for a pleasant setting and are keen to explore a diverse vegan dim sum menu, it could be a worthwhile visit.
Just manage your expectations regarding consistency. However, if attentive service and clear value for money are top priorities, you might find yourself a little disappointed.
It’s a place with distinct strengths, but also areas that clearly need attention to provide a consistently satisfying experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Imperial Garden
Food (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 90% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.1 score, indicating a good culinary experience, though customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 68.9%. Many diners rave about the delicious and authentic Chinese food, especially highlighting the amazing vegan dim sum options, generous large portions, and well-prepared seafood dishes. With 91 positive remarks out of 132 total, there's a lot to love on the menu!
However, some experiences suggest a bit of inconsistency. A few guests found certain dishes, like the beef, to be tough and salty, or the Sweet n Sour Pork awful. There were also concerns about the handling of dietary restrictions and, in rare cases, even reports of food poisoning.
These 30 negative comments point to areas where the kitchen could definitely improve.
Food
132
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
30
negative
11
neutral
91
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious vegan dim sum
- Authentic Chinese dishes
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent dish quality
- Poor dietary accommodation
- Food safety concerns
Often praised
- foodThey made sure everything ran smoothly so we could focus on enjoying the day, which we're extremely grateful for! The food was SO GOOD - our guests couldn't stop raving about it, and everyone had different favorites, but a few standouts were the vegan xiao long bao, turnip cake, and fried glutinous dumplings (ham sui gok). Being from Hong Kong, it meant so much to me to be able to serve vegan dim sum to our family and friends, and show everyone that vegan food can be both authentic and delicious.
- dim sumweekend dim sum and everything was DELICIOUS
- vegan menuThey have a regular menu AND a vegan menu, which was awesome.
- turnip cakeI was very happy to have vegan dim sum and highly recommend it. On a second visit, I was extremely happy with the vegan "beef" noodle roll, siu Mai, fried "chicken" and "fish" rice, turnip cake, coy sum garlic, and dumplings. Even non-vegans were so pleased.
- vegan dim sumThe food was SO GOOD - our guests couldn't stop raving about it, and everyone had different favorites, but a few standouts were the vegan xiao long bao, turnip cake, and fried glutinous dumplings (ham sui gok). Being from Hong Kong, it meant so much to me to be able to serve vegan dim sum to our family and friends, and show everyone that vegan food can be both authentic and delicious. Thank you, Elaine and Menny, for making our wedding day so special!
- vegan dim sum menuvegan dim sum menu is one of the biggest I’ve ever seen and absolutely delicious!!
- vegan xiao long baoa few standouts were the vegan xiao long bao
- Beef Chow FunBeef chow fun and pot stickers were good.
- Chicken feetChicken feet were tasty
- Chinese Broccoli with Ginger GarlicThe service was attentive, with the dining captain, dressed in a tuxedo, presenting the specials. We ordered the War Won Ton Soup, Chinese Broccoli with Ginger Garlic, House Chow Mein, Steamed Rice, and the House Special Fried Dungeness Crab. The soup was expertly served, ensuring an equal distribution of ingredients.
Frequently criticized
- Siu Maiit was very disappointed the taste was just liked $3.50 Dim Sum in Chinatown
- beefthe beef tasted awful and overnight and hard
- foodfood was so bad
- Beef BroccoliWorst Beef Brooccli !!! Beef is tough and salty
- Chew mein with beefordered one Chew mein with beef
- Chicken Clay PotChicken clay pot terrible because there were only chicken backs
- Dietary restrictionsNot careful about dietary restrictions. Do not trust them.
- FoodFood:1
- Sweet n Sour PorkSweet n Sour Pork is awful
- Vegetarian optionsThey aren't ready to serve vegan customers.
If youre looking for authentic Chinese food, especially their celebrated vegan dim sum and seafood, its definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some meat dishes might be inconsistent, and if you have strict dietary needs, you might want to double-check with the staff.
Service (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 56% of the guests
Based on 53 customer comments, with 23 positive remarks, many guests highlighted the friendly and attentive staff, often praising their order accuracy and quick seating. The service score is an average 5, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 43.4%, indicating that positive interactions are definitely happening. However, 27 negative comments point to significant areas for improvement.
Issues like a communication barrier, rude staff, and long wait times were frequently mentioned. Some experiences included forgotten orders and the team being short staffed, leading to frustration for several patrons.
Service
53
Reviews
43%
Satisfaction
27
negative
3
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Good order accuracy
- Quick seating
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Communication barrier
- Long wait times
Often praised
- serviceWhile the chicken feet were tasty, they were smaller than what I've encountered elsewhere. The restaurant itself is spacious, and the service was friendly. I might return, but I definitely won't be ordering their Siu Mai again.
- ServiceWe got greeted and sat right away
- staffThe staff were very friendly
- attentivenessthey were very attentive
- convenient optionMy experience at this restaurant was that of a decent average dim sum place, particularly if you live in the neighborhood and prefer not to drive to Chinatown or Milbrae. It's a convenient option for locals. The restaurant offers a small parking lot, and street parking is available a couple of blocks away.
- dining Captaindining Captain dressed on a tuxedo came in and offered the specials
- everythingElaine, Menny, and their team truly went above and beyond. They made sure everything ran smoothly so we could focus on enjoying the day, which we're extremely grateful for! The food was SO GOOD - our guests couldn't stop raving about it, and everyone had different favorites, but a few standouts were the vegan xiao long bao, turnip cake, and fried glutinous dumplings (ham sui gok).
- friendlyvery friendly as usual
- hostessthe hostess was very helpful on how to order
- order accuracyBut the best part was the service – all of our servers were extremely friendly and accommodating. They accidentally messed up an order and immediately took it back and replaced it. We will absolutely be back.
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service is horrible. Servers are rude
- wait timewaited for almost 30 minutes to try to place a take out order
- Door Dash orderstold very rudely/angrily that they don't have Door Dash orders
- ServiceService:1
- business practicesvery bad business practices
- communicationThis happened even after I attempted to reorder. The customer service representative I spoke with on the phone doesn't speak English and seemed to not care about the situation. It raises the question of whether you want your food or if you're just going to be directed to people who don't respond.
- communication barrierfolks serving food spoke no English so we had a communication barrier
- customer serviceVery poor customer service.
- deliveryNever delivered
- delivery orderMy experience was with a delivery order that was cancelled after a 30-minute wait. The order was placed 45 minutes before closing time and consisted of just soup and fried rice, which should have been easy to prepare.
Service here can be a mixed bag; you might encounter wonderfully friendly and attentive staff, or face frustrating communication issues and long waits. If you're willing to take a chance, you could have a great experience, but be prepared for potential hiccups.
Ambience (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot truly shines, boasting a 7.7 score and a fantastic 82.6% customer satisfaction. Guests frequently rave about the beautiful atmosphere, grand interior, and good vibes, often highlighting the spacious feel. With 19 positive remarks out of 23 total, its clear many find the restaurants decoration and overall setting quite appealing.
However, it's not entirely without its quirks. A few of the 3 negative comments point to concerns about the location feeling a bit traditional or the setting not being welcoming for all, particularly vegans. There were also mentions of it being crowded, which can impact the overall experience.
Ambience
23
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Beautiful interior
- Lovely ambience
- Spacious setting
What people don't like
- Unwelcoming setting
- Can get crowded
- Traditional location
Often praised
- atmosphereThe service was exceptional, with the staff being very attentive and answering all our questions. The dining atmosphere is quite beautiful. We will definitely be coming back again!
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ParkingParking is next to the building
- SpaciousSpacious
- ambianceAmbiance and service was great too.
- ambienceLovely ambience
- big eventhad a big event there
- cleanlinessNice clean
- community gardenenjoy in the community garden
- free parkingOnly good thing about the restaurant is that there is free parking
Frequently criticized
- crowdedso crowded and impossible to walk in
- locationthe location is still a traditional Chinese seafood restaurant
- settingNot the most welcoming setting for vegans
If you're looking for a place with a great atmosphere and spacious interior, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful of potential crowds and consider if the traditional setting aligns with your preferences, especially if you have specific dietary needs.
Value (3.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 28% of the guests
A few diners found some bright spots regarding value, appreciating that prices were sometimes reasonable and even affordable, making their experience feel worth every dollar. These positive sentiments, however, only account for 5 out of 26 customer observations. However, the overall perception of value here is quite poor, reflected in a low score of just 3.4 and customer satisfaction at a mere 19.2%.
Many felt the restaurant was pricey, citing unreasonable charges, mandatory tipping, and discrepancies between listed and actual prices. With 18 negative remarks, it seems many felt they were charged every little thing.
Value
26
Reviews
19%
Satisfaction
18
negative
3
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Affordable dining
- Worth every dollar
What people don't like
- Unreasonable charges
- Mandatory tipping
- Price discrepancies
Often praised
- priceThe service was impeccable, and the food was amazing. Imperial Garden is worth every dollar and the drive!
- affordableaffordable which is a rarity these days
- pricesPrices are reasonable
- reasonable pricesReasonable price
Frequently criticized
- priceThe Siu Mai here cost usd7.90 before tax not cheap
- accept cashis it legal to openly accept cash
- billdid not want to adjust the bill at all
- charged every little thingsThey charged every little things
- customApparently it’s custom and costs extra
- mandatory tippingtipping is mandatory to pay 18%
- original pricecard was paid at the original price
- package activitiesFather's Day launch package activities to get 20% off
- package discount20% discount package for more than $600 for cash customers
- package discountspackage discounts want to collect cash to be exempted from tax
If you're considering this spot, be prepared for potential sticker shock and scrutinize your bill carefully. While a few found it affordable, the overwhelming feedback suggests the value for money is a significant concern, making it a risky choice for budget-conscious diners.
How are the prices at Imperial Garden?
You’re looking at roughly 36 per person – reported by 31 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 36, many guests actually spend less, with a big cluster of prices in the $21–$30 range. This suggests a good spread of options, from more budget-friendly to some higher-end choices, rather than prices all clustering around the average.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 31 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
For a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco, we think this pricing feels quite fair. It seems they offer a range of experiences, from more casual to something a bit special, which is great for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Imperial Garden
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Food & Great Atmosphere!
I've been coming here since I was a kid, and my experience has always been fantastic. The food is consistently delicious, and the atmosphere is great. I especially love that they now offer so many vegan options for dim sum.
Wow!
- food10
- atmosphere10
- vegan options for dim sum10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Stunning Vegan & Non-Vegan Options!
My experience at this restaurant was truly stunning! They offer both vegan and non-vegan options that are absolutely delicious, with generous big portions. The interior is beautiful, managing to be both grand and cozy simultaneously.
For those who prefer to enjoy their meal outdoors, you can take your food to go and savor it in the community garden (the green between) around the corner, provided you visit during their garden hours (Friday-Sunday, 8 am-3 pm).
- vegan and non-vegan options10
- big portions9
- interior10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Food, Worth a Return Visit
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. We visited for lunch and enjoyed the crispy fried noodles and fried rice. A couple of days later, we returned for the Peking duck set.
The portions were large, and we found the price reasonable. We will definitely come back again for our next trip.
- crispy fried noodles9
- fried rice9
- Peking duck set9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Incredible Vegan Dim Sum!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, particularly with their vegan dim sum menu, which is one of the biggest I’ve ever seen and absolutely delicious! I had the best vegan xiao long bao I have ever tasted. As someone who grew up eating them but went vegan a few years ago, this made me really happy.
The ambiance and service were great too.
- vegan dim sum menu10
- vegan xiao long bao10
- ambiance8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Hidden Gem Dim Sum in SF
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The dim sum has improved significantly, and it's great, especially by San Francisco standards. What's even better is that it's affordable, which is a rarity in the city these days.
After its recent reopening, this place has truly become a hidden gem. I'm personally glad it's not as crowded as it used to be, making it easier to walk in and get a table on weekends, though I suspect that won't last long.
- dim sum9
- affordable10
- hidden gem10
- crowded4
What Imperial Garden offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free parking lot
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant?
You can enjoy a variety of dining experiences at Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant, including lunch, dinner, and brunch. They also offer delicious desserts, catering services for your events, and comfortable table seating for your convenience.
Does Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant offer accessibility features?
Yes, Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant is fully committed to accessibility. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, a dedicated wheelchair accessible parking lot, comfortable wheelchair accessible seating, and a wheelchair accessible restroom for your comfort.
How does Imperial Garden rate overall?
Imperial Garden holds an average overall score of 6.3. Its Ambience (7.7) and Food (7.1) are generally well-regarded, while Service (5.0) is average and Value (3.4) is a significant concern.
Does Imperial Garden offer good vegan options?
Yes, many patrons praise Imperial Garden’s extensive and delicious vegan dim sum menu, highlighting dishes like vegan xiao long bao and turnip cake.
What are the main concerns regarding Imperial Garden's service and value?
Customers report inconsistent service, with issues like rudeness and communication barriers. The value is also a concern, with complaints about high prices and mandatory tipping.